One of the most important pieces of equipment you can have as a paranormal investigator is an EMF meter.
EMF stands for ElectroMagnetic Field, and the meter is designed to detect electromagnetic(henceforth called “EM”) fields. Electromagnetism is one of the four fundamental forces of nature(along with gravity, weak interaction/radiation and strong interaction/radiation).
EM fields are a physical field produced by electrically charged objects. Electrically charged objects include humans, electrical wiring, electronics, as well as naturally occurring electric fields. EM fields affect the behavior of charged objects in the vicinity of the field. This is why we experience “chills,”“electrical,” and nausea feelings when our bodies interact with an EM field. EMF can be viewed as a combination of an electric field and a magnetic field. The electric field is produced by stationary charges, while the magnetic field is produced by moving charges(currents). These two are often described as the same source of the EM field.
The behavior of EM fields can be divided into four parts of a feedback loop.
-electric and magnetic fields are generated by electric charges
-electric and magnetic fields interact with each other
-electric and magnetic fields produce forces on electric charges
-the electric charges move in space
Now, you might be asking yourself, “what role does EMF play in a paranormal investigation?” Let’s take a technical look to find our answer.
On a quantum scale, all atoms are comprised of electromagnetic energy. This EM force is what helps bind atoms together. We actually experience this effect everyday without realizing it. If gravity is the force that holds us down, what keeps us from being pushed through the earth, the floor we are standing on, the seat we are sitting on, etc? That would be the result of the strength of the atomic level electromagnetic force binding atoms together that you can thank. The force of gravity is actually weaker than the force of electromagnetism.
Now that we know that all atoms are made up of EM energy, we need to take a look at the Law of Conservation of Energy. This Law states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed. What does that mean for the paranormal investigator? Since our bodies are made up of EM energy, when we die, that energy has to go somewhere. It doesn’t “die” with our bodies or cease to exist. This is some of the strongest evidence we have for the Life After Death Hypothesis. In the paranormal field, one of the prevailing hypothesis is that EMF is generated by a spirit manifesting. While there is not any hard scientific proof that that EMF spikes are caused by a spirit, the aforementioned look at quantum physics and the Law of Conservation of Energy gives compelling support to this theory. Why? We know that spirits and ghosts have mass. How do we know this? Through video and photographic evidence. If they didn’t have mass, they would not be “seen” by a camera’s sensor. So if a spirit has mass, then it is made up of atomic particles, just like a human. So if a spirit is made up of atomic particles, then it must be made up of electromagnetic energy as well.
This is where EMF meters and human physiology come into play. Since spirits are by nature made up of EM energy at an atomic level, then unexplained spikes of EMF in a haunted location could very likely be the result of a spirit nearby. As a rule of thumb, I like to have two or more pieces of simultaneous evidence to occur before I will claim something as paranormal. Therefore, if I experience a high EMF spike, if I also capture an EVP, a visual anomaly on video or photo, a temperature or environmental change, or some sort of other paranormal phenomena, then it is very likely the EMF spike was generated by a spirt. Also knowing that EM fields interact with each other, at an atomic level, if an EM force interacts/ crosses with your body, your body will react to it on a quantum level. This reaction could be the basis of the chills, electrical/static energy, nausea, disoriented feelings investigators experience randomly in haunted locations. Oftentimes a feeling like this is accompanied by another experience or evidence is captured at same time or within a few seconds.
Knowing all this, we can also apply critical thinking to use EMF meters to help naturally explain many claimed paranormal experiences. When you get to a location, before you even begin your investigation, walk around with your EMF meter and take a base reading. Note this reading. This way you can note and record spikes and readings without mistaking a place as being “super haunted” because you forgot to take base readings and are now getting a constant, low reading of EMF. Doing a preliminary EMF sweep will also help you to track down any sources of EMF leaks, such as faulty or strong electrical wiring in the walls, electrical outlet shortages, electrical panels, wifi or network boosters, among others. If you find a source of a strong leak in an area where a lot of paranormal activity has been claimed to happen, then you would be able to explain to your client(or other investigators exploring the location in the future) that the activity experienced is most likely due to exposure to unnaturally high EMF.
With EMF meters becoming a staple in paranormal investigation, engineers are creating more finely tuned devices that help investigators from receiving false positive readings. The Mel Meter is one of the best EMF meters on the market. It is shielded from EMF given off by cell phones and most consumer electronics, so your other gear and most electronics at a location will not interfere with the devices readings. Not only does the Mel give you a digital, numeric readout of the EMF it is detecting, it also gives you a live reading of the ambient air temperature. This allows you to monitor temp and EMF and gives you the ability to observe possible paranormal phenomena in real time.
I hope this article helps give you a better understanding of EMF and paranormal phenomena. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email our team at: [email protected]
© Daniel McAdams - Spirit Trackers Team - 2017